This understated museum includes a courtyard, a cafe and an upstairs full of original objects from earliest cultures of Ecuador. With only short descriptions, the objects are beautiful, carefully displayed and representative of each culture. The museum shop is chock full of items that attempt to reflect the indigenous cultures, but it includes many manufactured items rather than hand made.

This place costs $4.00. What I liked about the museum was how descriptive it was and the exhibits are really great. For non-Spanish speakers, they give you a guide to do a self-guided tour around the space. You can take that home for $2. You get to explore pre-colombian culture, which is really nice. You can visit this place on your way back from the Pumapungo Museum to the city center.

This was a nice stop while wandering around Cuenca. Terrific collection of artifacts, some dating back to 5000 BC - amazing. Throw the front desk a couple bucks and enjoy the nifty collection on the second floor. There is English translations so you know what you are looking at. When done, there is a nice gift store and cafe on the ground level. Well done!